The Gram Panchayat elections in Andhra Pradesh will be held in three phases on July 23,27 and 31. A notification to this effect was issued by the Andhra Pradesh State Election Commission today.

The elections will be held in three phases and nominations can be filed from July 7 to 13,State Election Commissioner P Ramakanth Reddy told reporters here. The last date for the withdrawal of candidature is July 17 (not later than 3 PM) and the list of contesting candidates will be published on the same day. Polling will be held from 7 AM to 1 PM under first phase on July 23,second phase on July 27 and third phase on July 31.

The counting of votes will be taken up from 2 PM onwards for first phase on July 23,second phase on July 27 and third phase on July 31. The results will be declared soon after the completion of counting of votes.

The model code of conduct for the polls came into force immediately and the transfer of all officers and officials directly or indirectly connected with the conduct of the election is banned.

The total number of Gram Panchayats in the state is 21,592 and the number of Gram Panchayats going to polls is 21,491. The number of wards in Gram Panchayats going to polls is 2,17,578. The number of polling stations for Gram Panchayat elections is 2,19,753. The number of male voters is 1,96,49,114 and female voters is 1,97,52,741. Total voting strength is 3,94,01,855. The number of ballot boxes to be used is 1,32,066.